WSBI’s Scale2Save Launches Pilot to Empower Women Farmers in Nigeria
23.12.25
4 minutes readThe World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) is pleased to announce the launch of a new flagship initiative in Nigeria to improve financial inclusion and boost climate-smart agriculture, backed by grant support from Visa Foundation and ”la Caixa” Foundation.
The pilot program will target women smallholder farmers and women-led businesses in rural Nigeria, expanding access to finance and supporting climate adaptation. The initiative is implemented in close cooperation with LAPO Microfinance Bank, a WSBI member institution with long-standing expertise in women MSME lending.
Through this pilot, WSBI will work to create a scalable, evidence-based model that demonstrates how gender-smart financing and climate-resilient agricultural practices can drive inclusive economic transformation.
A catalytic investment in rural development
The pilot is expected to:
- Enable 20,000 smallholder farmers, at least 6,600 of them women, and 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, including 2,200+ women-led businesses, to access climate-adaptive financing;
- Facilitate financing in loan capital for agri-finance through partnerships with development finance institutions;
- Equip local financial institutions with sustainable agriculture tools, including the UNEP MEbA (Microfinance for Ecosystem-based Adaptation) toolkit and the FAO ABC (Adaptation, Biodiversity and Carbon) mapping tool ;
- Strengthen impact measurement frameworks and support LAPO Microfinance Bank in becoming a national reference under the WE (Women Entrepreneurs) Finance Code.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s climate and financial inclusion strategies, as articulated in the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 3.0). These initiatives further align with WSBI strategic partnerships under the Women Entrepreneur (WE) Finance Code that is housed by the World Bank and with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The WSBI Development Finance Unit, created in 2023 and building on 30 years sector practice to scale impact-driven initiatives at the intersection of finance, gender, and climate, will lead the pilot. Building on the success of past learning initiatives across Africa, this pilot represents the next generation of WSBI’s commitment to advancing inclusive banking solutions worldwide.
Commenting on the pilot, Isidro Fainé, Chairman of ”la Caixa” Foundation said:
“I am delighted to see how the social involvement of saving and retail banking is moving forward and growing worldwide, in line with our commitments made through the WSBI. Especially in projects that contribute to poverty reduction, youth empowerment, female entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. Local financial support to carry out these projects in their communities is also key. Once again, it is a pleasure for ”la Caixa” Foundation to contribute to this within the framework of our growing international cooperation activities and to do so in collaboration with prestigious entities such as the Visa Foundation.”
Commenting on the pilot, Peter Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute declared:
“This pilot embodies WSBI’s belief that inclusive finance and climate resilience must go hand in hand. By empowering women farmers and entrepreneurs with the tools and financing they need to adapt and thrive, we are helping to build stronger rural economies and more sustainable communities. We are proud to work with LAPO Microfinance Bank and our global partners to turn this ambition into measurable impact.”
Commenting on the intitiave, Najada Kumbuli, President, Visa Foundation, stated:
“Financial inclusion is a powerful lever to help ensure the digital economy is accessible to all. Through this initiative, we are helping demonstrate that empowering small businesses owners with the right resources is one of the most effective ways to enable sustainable growth for our local communities.”
Commenting on this opportunity, Cynthia Ikponmwosa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAPO Microfinance Bank declared:
“This initiative positions LAPO Microfinance Bank to provide climate-smart financial solutions for the first time to women farmers and entrepreneurs who are vital to rural resilience. We are pleased to work with WSBI and global partners to deliver inclusive and sustainable impact across Nigeria.”
About WSBI – World Savings and Retail Banking Institute
Founded in 1924, WSBI brings together savings and retail banks from 76 countries, representing savings and retail banks worldwide.
WSBI focuses on international regulatory issues that affect the savings and retail banking industry and provides a platform for knowledge exchange between member banks. Its aim is to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and balanced growth and job creation.
Supporting a diversified range of financial services to meet customer needs, WSBI favours an inclusive form of globalization that is just and fair. It supports international efforts to advance financial access and financial usage for everyone.
WSBI recognizes that there are always lessons to be learned from savings and retail banks from different environments and economic circumstances. It, therefore, fosters the exchange of experience and best practices among its members and supports their advancement as sound, well-governed, and inclusive financial institutions.
